Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-05-04
THE FIsHERIEs QUESTION.
Between the United
States and the British Government.

THE FISHERlES QUESTION.
Correspondence Between the United
states and the British Government.
SECRETARY BAYARDs PROPOSITIONS ANswERrp BIZ
THE cANADIANs-REvKRTING 10 THE CONDITION OF
THINGS UNDER THE TREATY OF WASHINGTON.
The Canadian minister OF fisheries has made
public the correspondence between the United
states and the British government on the fisheries
question Much OF it relates to the earlier history
OF the controversy about which everything is
tereSt.
SECRETARY BAyARD's PROPOSITION.
On the Sd Of December MI. Phelps, our minister
at London, transmitted to the imperial govern
ment communication from Secretary Bayard
containing the following propositions:
!. TO agree upon and establish by series OF
lines the limits which shall separate the exclusive
from the common right OF fishing on the coasts.
and In the adjacent water of the British North
american colonies, In conformity with the first
arucie OF the convention OF 1918, except that the
are In future to be excluded save for purposes for
when entrance into bays and harbors is permitted
be such bays and harbors as are 10 or less than
10 miles in width, and distance OF marine miles
from such bays and harbOrs shall be measured
1arDor, IN the part nearest the entrance, at the
hrSt point where the width does not exceed 10
descbed also sS ce su on cSaT
pared In duplicate for the purpose.
q 10 agree upon and establish such regulations as
may DE necessary and proper to secure to the fish,
ermen OF the United states the privilege OF enter
Ing the bays and harbOrs for the purpose OF
a9S IN Of
ESTABLISH restrictions to prevent the abuse of the
privileges reserved by said convention to the fish
er1nen OF the United States.
10 agree upon and recommend penalties to be
ad1udged, and such proceedings and jur1sdicti On
as may be necessary to secure speedy trial a nd
judgment 1or vioators OF rights and tTanSgress ITS
OF limits and restrictions which may be adopt I'd.
Pendlng definite arrangement there was TO be
abstenton from selling United States fishing VS.
sells unless found within marine miles or the
Canadian coast.
Mr.. Bayard further proposed that each country
snOuld SEND national vessel to the gulf and to
the south coast OF Nova Scotia to Superintend he
nSnlng operations and hear and examine into ny
cases OF dispute which might arise. 1t is also
suggested mat nShlnS vessels OF the United States
are 10 have, In Canadian ports the same privies
as other vessels OF the United States lncludi ng
the purchase OF bait and other supplies rees Sc
all United states fishing vessels now under seizl re
for falling to report at the custom houses and TO
refund all the fines exacted for such failure.
REPLY OF THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT.
A copy OF this dispatch was duly forwarded to
Canada, and, under date OF December %, Lord
Lansdowne forwarded the reply OF the Canadian
government with regard to the first article in Mr.
Bayard's proposal. 1t says this reservation In
wolves the surrender OF the exclusive right OF fish,
Ing In bays which have hitherto been regarded as
beyond all question within the territorial waters
OF Canada Article two OF the memorandum pre-
judges in favor OF the United States one Of the
most important OF the points which have been In
dispute by deciding adversely to Canada the con-
struction which is to be placed upon the imperial
and Canadian statutes. the proper Interpretation
before the Canadian courts. Article three was
objected to as likely to lead to frustrating the
ends OF Justice the further propositions Of NJ
States an important question which has
arisen as to the commercial privileges to
which United States fishing vessels are entitled
while In Canadian waters. 1t is assumed that
seizures and detentions which have taken place
during the past season In consequence OF nom
customs laws Of Canada have in all cases involved
violation OF the treaty OF 1918 by the Canadian
authorities, and the Canadian government was in
guilty to all counts contained in this part OF the
Indictment against us.
"Then Mr.. Bayard's proposal amounts to this,
Its conduct In the past and its rights In the future
TO the arb1trament OF commission without any
ASST M9asese I'LL, s1e INC OF
gress. trust her mateaty's government to dis
courage the United States from pressing these pro-
posals in their present shape"
REWRITING 10 THE TREATY OF WASHINGTON.
The answer to this came in the form Of tele-
gram from Sir Henry Holland to Lord Lansdowne
under date of February "a, 1887, suggesting that
both parties agree to revert temporarily at least to
the condition Of things existing under the treaty
OF Washington, the fisheries being again thrown
| reciprOcaly open, and fish and fish products being
again reciprOcaly admitted duty free. To this
Lord LanSdowne answers under date OF February
80 accepting the suggestion. Lord salisbury, in
communicating to the American Government the
consent OF the imperial authorities to mixed COM
mission to report upon the matters referred to in
the three first articles Of the draft OF the protocol
communicated TO the Earl OF Clarendon by Mr..
Adams in 1866 says: "Her Majesty's government,
earnest desire to treat the question In spirit Of
nberanty and friendship, are now willing to revert
for the coming fishing season, and IL necessary
further term to the condition OF things existing
under the treaty OF Washington, without any sug-
gestiOn Of pecuniary indemnity"
The instructions to the OmcerS OF the fisheries
protection fleet directed them not to interfere with
the rights OF United States fishermen In Canadian
| waters and to grant them null protection in OBJ
tanning shelter, repairs. wood and water.